Chapter 17
Avidya
With a deep breath in, I closed my eyes, letting the pain meds take effect as I stood against the bathroom counter. Opening them, I met my paler than normal complexation. Makeup did wonders in hiding the dark handprint on my cheek and tired eyes. Too bad it did hardly anything on the other bruises that covered my body.
It wasn’t often I wore makeup, but times like this was the perfect time to use the untouched makeup.
Zachariah had sent a dress for me to wear with matching black sandals. I couldn’t not wear it since he took the time to find me something nice, something that fit me to wear to meet his parents. Why, though? I couldn’t wrap my head around why he wanted me to meet his parents, as I didn’t see it would do any good.
The dress was no doubt priced higher than anything I owned, but it was something I liked. The thin straps sat on my shoulders, and the cotton-like fabric went down to just above my knees in a black wave. It wasn’t overly dressy, but yet still classy. I couldn’t help but like how it fit me, except that it clearly showed the marks on my arms.
Before leaving my room, I slipped my arms into a light cream sweater. I could easily pull off the lie of being cold to keep my arms hidden. The thunderstorm late last night made today a bit cooler.
“Avidya,” father yelled up the stairs, causing me to jump.
With one more sigh, sending up a prayer that I could make it through the next few hours, I left my room and made my way down the stairs. My heart beat widely in my chest. I wasn’t sure if it was due to the fact that I would have to be in the same space as my father, or being able to see Zachariah again. I wasn’t willing to admit that I was looking forward to seeing the man in question again.
“Hurry up,” father grumbled, taking a once over of my appearance. I could tell he wasn’t thrilled that I was wearing something that he normally didn’t approve of. He hated the idea of me wearing anything like this for some reason. Normally, I didn’t wear thin straps, nor did I wear so much makeup. But when he left marks on me, what else was I to do? It wasn’t often, thankfully.
Once in the car, father began the drive to wherever we were going. I had no idea what to expect. Jeez, I didn’t know what to expect hour by hour anymore. My parents were mostly the same, but father was moodier than before. Mom seemed to be more stressed and drinking more often, although hiding it from me well. There was something more to all of it.
Forty minutes after leaving our driveway, father pulled up to a three-story house that sat atop what looked like a three-car garage. The wood siding matched the dark roof and the rock like stairs that led up to the front door. Huge windows looked out over the land, as the house was built back a bit from the main road. Trees could be seen by the side of the house, and I assumed that the back yard was just as forest like. It was a sight to behold, and I knew just from one look that the owners had more than money than what they knew what to do with.
“Can’t believe I’m going along with this,” father grumbled as he stomped up the stairs.
I stayed silent, following my mom up the stone steps, taking note that they had to be made of real stones. Each was placed perfectly, even the stone banister.
I was used to the small but homey two-story home I grew up in. It was big enough for the three of us, and that was about it. It worked, and I never wanted more than that. I had my own room, a closet, and bathroom.
Before father reached the door, it opened by a woman who had black hair left down past her shoulders. Her light brown eyes were filled with happiness as she greeted my parents.
“Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Ray,” she opened the door wider, allowing us in. “And Avidya,” she gave me a smile, almost like she knew exactly who I was. I gave her a polite smile back before stepping into the house.
The inside was just as grand as the outside. A huge entryway with light hardwood flooring and a wide staircase off to the side.
“I’m Julia, Zachariah’s mother,” she spoke, her voice still soft but filled with love. “It’s nice to meet you. Zach should be here shortly, as should his father, Carlos,” she went on. “Please, let me show you to the living room while we wait.”
“You have such a beautiful home,” mom said, looking around in awe. That was extremely true. This house was amazing. High vaulted ceilings, light cream smooth walls, and just so much character that things fit perfectly everywhere.
“Thank you,” Julia smiled, pleased. “This house was passed down to us when I married into the family. It was a wedding gift, you could say. Through the years, I’ve worked on painting and refurbishing each room, making it have a more modern feel, but keeping everything original as much as possible.”
In the living room, the white furniture was placed perfectly towards the windows that faced the front yard, and a brick fireplace that was placed in between a set of wide windows.
My parents sat on the loveseat while I took the chair in the corner that faced the front door a bit.
“The men had planned to be here before you arrived, but something came up,” Julia went on after taking a seat on one of the other empty chairs.
“No worries,” father spoke, breaking the thick atmosphere. He waved his hand in the air as if it really didn’t bother him. But it was bugging him. I could tell by the twitch in his eye. “Did Zachariah tell you how he came across our daughter?”
“He said they ran into one another a while ago, at church I believe,” she said, looking at my father without batting an eye. “And when he heard through the grapevine that she was available to marry, he couldn’t help but seek her hand in marriage.” Turning her attention to me, “He did pick well. You a sight a behold.”
“Uh, thank you?” I replied, blushing at the attention.
“There’s a light in you that he needs. I am truly happy that he chose someone that can hopefully show that life is not all about work,” she said, giving me a bright smile.
“He seems to be just fine without a wife,” father mumbled out.
“Okay, Mr. Ray,” Julia spoke, leaning forward in her chair and staring him down. “Listen here, and listen closely, because I won’t be repeating myself. I know you are less than thrilled with how things are going, and that’s perfectly fine. As a businessman, I am positive you have things already lined up to the dot, on how everything was going to work out. But now, things are far out of your hands, Mr. Ray. My son will marry Avidya, and if you fight him, he won’t hesitate to bring you down. We have helped you out more than once, and now, it’s time for us to take charge. Understood?”
Father simply nodded his head as he swallowed loudly. I was impressed. No one had ever put my father in his place before.
“I like you,” I said towards Julia without thinking. I didn’t realize I spoke until she met my eyes, giving me a small wink.
“Most people do,” she shrugged a shoulder with a small knowing smile on her lips.
“I adore her,” spoke a man who wore a tux, the buttons left undone as he entered the living room from a different room. “She always sees people for who they truly are. Julia is a heavenly gift.”
“Mr. Melendez,” father spoke, quickly shaking himself from the previous conversation where he literally got his butt chewed out.
He ignored my father, coming straight to me and shook my hand after I stood up. I could feel the sweat set in on my palm as I took him in. He looked like an older version of Zachariah with gray sprinkled throughout his hair and clean shaven. No doubt that Zachariah would look just a good when he aged.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Avidya. My son has told me so much about you,” he greeted, his eyes light as he looked at me.
“You too, Mr. Melendez,” I responded in kind.
“Carlos, please,” he smiled. He then let go of my hand before going to give Julia a kiss on her head. I couldn’t help but watch how she melted into his touch, so different from my own parents.
“Where is our son?” Julia asked.
“Cleaning up. He’ll be down in a few minutes,” Carlos answered. “Shall we go sit for dinner? I believe Shelly is done with the cooking.”
“Of course,” Julia responded.
Carlos led the way, with my parents following. Julia walked beside me as I marveled at the house on the way.
“If you like this house, you’ll love Zach’s,” she whispered to me.
“I can’t imagine living in a place like this. Ever,” I whispered back.
“You’ll get used to it, sweets,” she responded with a laugh. “Took me a bit, but it certainly grew on me.”
“Did you have an arranged marriage, too?” I asked, almost fearing the answer. Although, my fear disappeared as I entered the dining area. A huge glass table with a black frame and matching chairs sat in the middle. A huge glass chandelier hung from the ceiling. The windows looked out into the backyard, and I could clearly see the stream of water that flowed a little further out.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Julia said, seeing where I was looking towards. “To answer your question, yes. I knew Carlos for years before we married. We had plenty of time to fall in love with one another before marrying.”
“Many families like ours aren’t so lucky,” Carlos spoke up, helping his wife to sit before he took his own seat at the head of the table. “Of course, there aren't as many girls born into this type of family as there once was, which can be both a blessing and a curse depending on how you look at it.”
Slowly, but not entirely wanting to, I took the empty seat next to my father on his left and closest to the windows. Mom took the seat closest to Carlos, while Julia took the one across from her husband. That left one seat opened.
Father, of course, threw a glare my way as I took a seat. I tried to ignore him, knowing that right now was not the best time to make a scene.
“Lynn, how are you doing this fine day?” Carlos spoke, also ignoring my father. I took it that they were not men that got along well. Maybe it was because of their line of work.
“I’m okay,” she answered quietly.
“Good to hear,” Carlos replied, but I could tell he wasn’t happy with the answer. He didn’t drag more out of her, which was probably a good thing.
“Sorry I’m late,” Zachariah spoke, appearing almost out of thin air. I couldn’t help but jump as he took a seat right across from me. Having father sitting beside me made my nerves higher than normal.
“No worries,” Julia responded with a smile. “Hope you were able to clear the issue away.”
“For now,” Zachariah spoke. “Nice to see you again, Avidya,” he said as he turned his attention to me. Of course, I had to blush right then and there as he looked me over. “Are you unwell?”
“I’m fine,” I mumbled out, noticing that he was looking at the jacket I wore.
“Then why the jacket? Do you not like the dress I had ordered for you?” he asked, watching me with calculating eyes.
“She got sunburned,” father answered for me. At least it saved me from having to answer.
“Oh?” Zachariah answered, generally surprised. “She isn’t sunburned on her face.”
I looked at him, begging with my eyes to drop it. I didn’t want to explain why I had on a jacket, least of all here in front of his parents.
“She tends to forget that sitting only in partial shade still gets her sunburned,” father was quick to reply.
“Hmm,” Zachariah said, still not believing my father. “Is that true, Avidya?”
Why was I trying to hide what my father was capable of? I wasn’t sure why, as he didn’t deserve it.
He glanced at me across the table, watching as I ducked my head. I hated to lie, but yet I still mumbled out a ‘yes’, knowing that I would get worse punishment at home if I said anything different.
“I have some wonderful sunburn cream upstairs, if the burn hurts,” Julia smoke up.
I glanced up at her, freezing for a moment before nodding my head. My heart sank at her look. She knew. Knew that I was hiding more than just a sunburn. I could feel Zachariah's eyes burn into me.
After that, my parents attempted to keep talk to safe topics. Although, that didn’t do well as we began to eat. A maid set the food on the table – seasoned chicken, peas, and mash potatoes. There was more than enough food here to feed a feast of people.
As I took the first few bites, I couldn’t help but want the recipe. It was divine with a mixture of seasons that made it just perfect.
“Wonderful food,” father said between bites. “Maybe you can give my wife the recipe.”
“Maybe one day,” Julia responded politely.
“That would be a ‘no’ put nicely,” Carlos said. “It’s a family recipe, and that is where it will stay.”
“It’s only a recipe,” father muttered.
“We have given you more than enough things through the years,” Carlos said, setting down his fork next to the plate.
“He’s sorry for asking,” I spoke up quickly, surprising myself. As I met Zachariah’s look from across the table, I couldn’t help but speak up more. “He’s not used to being told no.”
“No, he certainly isn’t,” Carlos replied towards me. “Never has been. Even when he tried to worm his way into my business.”
“I’m a man of God,” father spoke up, like it explained everything. “You need to be put on the right path.”
“And you don’t?” I spoke up, turning my attention towards him. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Zachariah sit up straighter, watching and listening intently. Hadn’t I told my mouth to behave?
“Of course not. I know my path, unlike some people,” father said, glaring at me as he moved his hands under the table. “I am not a sinner.”
“So you didn’t steal me when I was younger, right?” I asked, not able to contain my thoughts as they flowed from my mouth.
“That is not your concern, least of here,” father replied, his voice turning deadly cold.
“But it is my concern, don’t you see that?” I asked, tilting my head to the side. “I mean, if I am to marry a man you set me up with, I have the right to know who my real parents are.”
“I have given you a house to live in,” father spoke just as he laid his hand over my bruised arm and applying just enough pressure to make me grimace in pain.
“Actually, I gave you that house,” Carlos spoke up, his voice demanding everyone’s attention. “I can certainly take it away just as fast. Now, everyone here knows that Avidya is not yours.”
“Take your hand off her,” Zachariah said as my father squeezed just a bit tighter at the head of the household’s words. “Now.”
“I believe we are finished here. Come, Avidya,” father spoke, pulling me to my feet.
Within seconds, a gun was cocked and pointed at my father from across the room while my mom gasped, shocked.
Everyone froze. My heart began to beat fast with each passing second as fear took over.